Everything You Need To Know About Wisdom Teeth

Everything You Need To Know About Wisdom Teeth

by | Feb 5, 2020 | Dental

What Are “Wisdom Teeth?”

Wisdom teeth are your 3rd adult molars that typically erupt around 16-20 years ago when they erupt. Often people don’t have room for their wisdom teeth, and they need to be removed to prevent issues from occurring. Some patients may not have their wisdom teeth be present at all.

Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth 

Signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth are pain, swelling face and neck, bad taste in mouth and infection. If your wisdom teeth are impacted you may have any number of these symptoms or no symptoms at all. It is important to see a dentist at the first sign of any of these symptoms to address the problem. 

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Wisdom Teeth Extraction Procedure 

Wisdom teeth will be recommended for removal if they are under the gum and bone and have no room to erupt and may be in a vulnerable spot that could cause problems such as future infection or cavities on neighbouring teeth. To have the wisdom teeth extracted, you will see either your dentist or an oral surgeon and be either awake or asleep using intravenous sedation. Various tools will be used to take the wisdom teeth out of the gums and bone, and the extraction sites will be sutured up. The healing time is typically just a few days. 

Risks of Not Removing Wisdom Teeth 

There are several risks involved in not removing wisdom teeth when they are recommended for removal. Infection can occur around the site of any of the impacted wisdom teeth, cavities can occur on the neighbouring teeth, and even shifting can occur from the push of the wisdom teeth. 

Important Facts 

  • If you have any signs or symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth, see your dentist immediately
  • Make sure not to smoke or use straws after your wisdom tooth extraction as this could disrupt the healing process 
  • Usually, there will be four wisdom teeth, but sometimes people are congenitally missing 1,2,3 or even all of their wisdom teeth 
  • Wisdom teeth are usually taken out in pairs. This is due to the fact that once one wisdom tooth is gone, the opposing wisdom tooth would no longer have a tooth to bite down against, eliminating the need for that tooth 

Make sure to talk to your dentist about the state of your wisdom teeth. If you have any questions about wisdom teeth, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Learn When Dental Crowns Are Used For Children

Learn When Dental Crowns Are Used For Children

by | Jan 14, 2020 | Dental

When a child has tooth decay, because the baby tooth is smaller and the nerve and blood supply is quite large for the size of the tooth, the decay can often travel fast into the underlying structure of the tooth, including the nerve and blood supply. Once the decay enters the nerve of the tooth, there is no way to save the tooth without either extracting it or performing a form of root canal treatment and placing a crown on top. If one of these two options is not performed, the tooth will end up having an infection that can be painful to the child and potentially cause problems with the adult tooth underneath. 

Option 1: Extraction

When an extraction is performed, the baby tooth with the deep cavity is removed, and a space maintainer is placed. The space maintainer is used to hold the space for the adult tooth to have enough room to erupt when the time comes. Because adult teeth find their place by resorbing the roots of the baby teeth before them, sometimes the adult tooth may erupt slightly off course if the baby tooth is taken out premature. 

Option 2: Nerve treatment and stainless steel crown

Saving the baby tooth is the ideal solution to a large cavity. A filling is placed that removes all the decay, the nerve and blood supply is treated, and a stainless steel crown is placed on top. This gives the baby tooth more of a chance of staying in place until the adult tooth below is ready to erupt. Placing a crown instead of removing the tooth also allows for adequate function such as chewing and eating.

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The first sign of a cavity is a stained or brown spot, usually between teeth or on the biting surface of a tooth, or a chip to a tooth. If you suspect your child may have a cavity, it is crucial to bring them into the dentist immediately, so it is not left to progress. If you have any questions about cavities, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. 

Learn How To Keep Teeth Clean If You Have Dental Braces

Learn How To Keep Teeth Clean If You Have Dental Braces

by | Dec 12, 2019 | Dental

Orthodontics provides so many benefits for your teeth, gums and oral health. However, dental braces can make it more challenging to keep your teeth clean. It is vital to make sure to maintain the health of your teeth and gums with braces on, but you need to have the right tools at home to do so. Listed below are essential tools to use while you have braces on your teeth.

Electric Toothbrush 

It is essential to use an electric toothbrush while you have braces on. Electric toothbrushes can perform more brush strokes in 2 minutes to compared to manual brushing. Electric toothbrushes also do a great job of cleaning around orthodontic bands and brackets that are difficult to access. 

electric tooth dental braces

electric tooth dental braces

Water Flosser

A water flosser is a great idea to use to clean between teeth and around brackets and bands. You can use either water or mouth wash. A great idea is to use a mouth wash containing fluoride to reduce your cavity risk. The water flosser flushes out food particles and bacteria, reducing plaque accumulation. 

Fluoride 

Fluoride is an essential component in keeping teeth healthy with braces. Because plaque accumulation can be more challenging to prevent, fluoride strengthens the enamel of the teeth, preventing tooth decay. Use fluoride in your toothpaste twice a day and as an added dose, use a mouthwash containing fluoride once a day. Remember not to eat, drink or rinse for 30 minutes after fluoride so it can work properly. 

Super Floss/ Floss Threader

Flossing is more difficult with braces on, so you will need to use floss specifically designed to help get under the archwire. Super floss is a pre-cut piece of floss with a rigid end that is easy to stick between the teeth near the gum line. Floss threaders are loops that are used to pull the floss between the teeth. Both super floss and floss threaders work well, so use whichever you prefer. 

Proxabrush

A proxabrush is a tool designed to help clean between brackets. It looks like a small pipe cleaner with thin bristles that dislodge plaque on the sides of the brackets, accessing areas that are difficult with the toothbrush and floss. 

Lastly, it is vital to see your dental hygienist regularly for cleanings when you have braces on. Your dental hygienist can clean spots that are difficult to access at home and discuss areas that require more attention. Often, cleanings are recommended every 3-4 months when braces are on. If you have any questions about tools to use at home for cleaning around braces, contact us today to schedule an appointment. 

Learn How A Nightguard Can Help To Protect Your Smile

Learn How A Nightguard Can Help To Protect Your Smile

by | Nov 20, 2019 | Dental

At least 10% of the population grinds or clenches their teeth at night. This habit is called “bruxism” and is a form of sleep movement disorder. You may not be aware of it until your dentist professional sees signs of wear on your teeth. Symptoms of clenching and grinding consist of headaches, neck aches, and soreness in the muscles of the cheeks and jaw. As well as pain in the jaw joint and chipping, fractures, and sensitivity in the teeth. A nightguard works by preventing tooth on tooth contact of the teeth. Listed below are a few benefits of wearing a night guard. 

Preventing Tooth Wear With A Nightguard

One of the most common effects of clenching and grinding is wear to the biting surfaces of the teeth. Often, with grinding, the teeth will have a more flattened shortened appearance. With clenching, indentations of the opposing cusps can be seen. Sometimes these signs won’t be noticed until you see your dentist or dental hygienist. Wear to the biting surfaces of the teeth can lead to sensitivity from the loss of enamel. Sometimes if the wear is deep, a filling may need to be placed to protect the enamel that remains. Wearing a nightguard doesn’t stop clenching or grinding, but it places the wear on the nightguard itself.

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Preventing Chips and Fractures 

Chips and fractures of the teeth surfaces can occur from clenching and grinding. When a spot is worn down too much and becomes thin, sometimes it can chip off. Fillings must be placed to restore these areas and wearing a nightguard will prevent them from occurring.  

Preventing Bone Loss 

Constant excess pressure on the teeth can cause the bone and gum support from around the teeth to slowly recede away. This happens because the teeth and bone support are not meant to bear such an excess load, and the cells begin to resorb. This process happens over time slowly, but once gum and bone are lost, they cannot grow back on their own. Wearing a nightguard prevents the excessive force on the teeth that cause recession and bone loss.  

Preventing TMJ Issues 

Grinding and clenching can cause pain and soreness with the jaw joint, called the temporomandibular joint. The TMJ (for short) is not meant to bare the excessive force of clenching and grinding and can sustain injury overtime. Wearing a nightguard adds a cushion between the teeth that absorbs the forces and protects the jaw.  

If you believe you are clenching or grinding and would benefit from a nightguard, or have any questions about them, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

5 Ways To Keep Baby Teeth Healthy

5 Ways To Keep Baby Teeth Healthy

by | Oct 10, 2019 | Dental

Fluoride/ Xylitol

Fluoride is an integral component in keeping teeth (baby teeth and adult teeth) healthy. Fluoride is included in a low concentration in most tap water so it can be absorbed systemically. It is also included in toothpaste and some mouthwashes in low concentrations, as well. Fluoride strengthens the enamel (the outer structure of the teeth) to prevent bacteria and acids from penetrating through, causing cavities. Xylitol can also be used in order to avoid cavities. Xylitol works by reducing the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. Xylitol can be found in toothpaste, mouth rinses, gum and even some candies. 

Low Sugar Diet

A diet high in sugar is a significant precursor for cavities. By giving your child less sugary snacks, you can significantly reduce their risk for cavities. The kinds of sugary foods that are the most cavity-causing are sticky, gummy, and chewy foods such as candies and dried fruit. In other words, foods that will get stuck in their teeth and increase the exposure time to sugar. If your child eats something sweet, brush their teeth after if you can, and if not, have them rinse their mouth with water. 

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Brushing & Flossing

Of course, brushing and flossing are essential parts of keeping baby teeth healthy. It is recommended to brush at least twice a day and to floss at least once a day. Help your child brush and floss their teeth until around the age of 6-8. Flossing should start around four years old, or whenever the spaces between their teeth begin to close. 

Wear a Sports Guard

If your child plays any contact sports such as soccer, hockey or basketball, they need to wear a custom-fitted sports guard to protect their teeth. 

Regular Check-ups and Cleanings

Lastly, make sure to bring your child in for their regular check-ups and cleanings. It is usually recommended every six months but may be recommended more frequently if there have been any concerns with their teeth or gums. 

 If you have any questions about keeping your child’s teeth healthy, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.